In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Mutarrif Bin Abdillaah Ash Shikh-kheer [rahimahullaah] said, “It is more beloved to me that I sleep all night [i.e. without performing the optional night prayer] and wake up in the morning whilst being regretful than stay up all night in prayer and then become self-amazed”. [Ref 1]
Imaam Adh-Dhahabi [rahimahullaah] commented on this statement and said, “The one who attributes piety to himself or is amazed with himself will not be successful”. [Ref 2]
[Ref 1: Az-Zuhd 448. By Imaam Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah)]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Dhahabi [rahimahullaah] said: The most evil [type] of haughtiness [i.e. the haughtiness lesser than the one that led Iblees to disbelief] is that of one who is haughty towards the people due to knowledge [he possesses] and feels exalted within himself due to virtue [he possesses]; for indeed this [type of person] is not benefited by his knowledge. Indeed, the one who seeks knowledge for the afterlife [i.e. to perform righteous deeds for the afterlife], his knowledge will prevent him [i.e. restrain him from evil, unpraiseworthy deeds etc], his heart will possess khash’ya [i.e. that fear of Allaah founded upon knowledge of the greatness of Allaah, His perfect Dominion and sovereignty], his soul will be at ease and he will be watchful over himself. [Al-Kabaa’ir page 76]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.
A man said to Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him], “I do not want to be amongst the companions of the right, I want to be amongst those foremost in faith; so, Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood said to him, ‘But there is a man right here [meaning himself] who wishes that he is not resurrected after he dies [i.e. due to fear of the hereafter]’”.
One day, he [Abdullaah] came out and the people followed him, so he said to them, “Do you have a need?” They said, “No, but we want to walk along with you.” He said, “Go back, for indeed it is humiliation for the one following and a trial for the one followed”.
He said, “Had you known what I know about myself, you would have hurried to cover my head with dust”.
[Source: Az-Zuhd of Imaam Ahmad: page: 195, 198, 265]
Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah, and denies the truth [this Qur’an, the Prophet (Muhammad ), the Islamic Monotheism, the Resurrection and the reward or punishment according to good or evil deeds] when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers? [Soorah Zumar: Ayah:32]
There is none that is more oppressive than the one who fabricates a lie against Allaah by attributing to him that which is not befitting for him, like setting up partners along with him and attributing to him a son or he says I have received revelation and absolutely nothing was revealed to him. And there is none that is more oppressive than the one who rejects the truth that which has been revealed to Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم . Is not the fire a final abode and a dwelling place for those who disbelieve in Allaah and those who do not believe in Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and they do not act according to what he came with; certainly it is! [Source: Tafseer Muyassar, with the supervision of Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh]
And say to My slaves that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.
Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] command His slave and Messenger [i.e. Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] to command Allaah’s believing slaves that they speak to one another in their conversations and discussions with what is better and good, for if they do not do that, shaytaan will initiate a state of conflict between them and speech will lead to actions, and thus evil, [blameworthy] argumentation and fighting will arise; for indeed shaytaan is an enemy of Aadam and his children since [the time] he refused to prostrate to Aadam. His enmity is clear and manifest, so because of this it prohibited for a man to point at his Muslim brother with an iron [instrument], for indeed shaytaan [can entice an evil action] in his hand and he may strike [ his Muslim brother] with it. [Ref 1]
Imaam Sadi stated that this command [i.e. in Surah Al-Israa Aayah 53] is related to every speech that will bring a person close to Allaah, such as recitation [of the Qur’aan], remembrance of Allaah, enjoining good and forbidding evil, [to address the people] with good and gentle speech in accordance with their different social statuses and positions. If something resolves around two good affairs, then Allaah commands that the better of the two is chosen if it is not possible to combine both of them. Good speech leads to every beautiful mannerism and righteous deed, for indeed the one who controls his tongue will be able to take control of his affairs.
Shaytaan wants to cause disagreements between you. He hastens towards that which will corrupt the religious and worldly affairs of the slaves. Therefore, the remedy for this is that he is not to be followed when he incites you to utter statements that are not good in order to cause enmity and disagreements between you. He is your real enemy and it is obligated on you to wage war against him because he calls you to be among the people of the hell fire. [Ref 2]
[Ref 1: Source: An Excerpt from Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheb Tafseer Ibn katheer’ Surah Al-Israa 17: 53]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-kareem ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:
The goal is to establish the religion of Allaah, [but] neither to give the upper hand to one’s passion [or enthusiasm] nor to [merely] excite the soul. Therefore, if the goal is to aid the religion of Allaah, then indeed a person will follow the closest upright path to accomplish this goal, even if it is by way of gentleness when there is a need for that. [An Excerpt From Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm. Page 10]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Question to Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen: May Allaah have mercy upon a person who knows his limitations and worth- [Does this (saying) have an (established) source and has it been transmitted in a hadeeth?]
Answer: I do not know of an (established) source for it; however its meaning is correct. (That is) because when a person knows his (limitations and worth), he will be humble in the presence of his Lord. He will worship Allaah and will know that he is not free from being in need of Allaah in the twinkling of an eye. If he knows himself, he will know his status amongst the people and this knowledge will (prevent) him from being haughty towards them- because haughtiness is from the major sins and looking down on the people is from the forbidden affairs. That is why when the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) warned against haughtiness (or pride), they (i.e. the people) said: “Everyone of us loves that his clothes and shoes are nice;’’ so he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Indeed, Allaah is beautiful and He loves beauty; haughtiness (or pride) is to reject the truth and look down on the people.” So when a person knows his (limitations and worth), he will know his rank amongst the people. He will place himself in his (rightful) place; humble himself in the presence of his lord and in the presence of Allaah’s creation. And whoever humbles himself to Allaah, Allaah will raise him.
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] was asked about a husband and a wife who agreed not to have children and whether this is allowed:
The Shaikh [rahimahullaah] responded saying that this agreement of theirs is not permissible. As long as the woman is able [to bear children], then it is not permissible for them to do this because the Islamic legislation requires that the people give concern to bearing children and make the Ummah numerous. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Marry the childbearing, loving woman for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection. In another wording [of this narration the Prophet said]: Outnumber [i.e. the followers of the other] Prophets on the Day of Judgement.” That is because by way of this [i.e. having many children] those who worship Allaah among the Muslims will be numerous, the Ummah will be numerous and strong in opposing their enemies.
It is not permissible for a man to abandon having children out of fear of either tiredness in seeking after a livelihood or due to difficulty, or due to expenditure, or due to a desire to enjoy one’s wife and other than that. It also not permissible for a woman to do this, rather it is obligated on both of them to pursue the means of having offspring -be eager to seek the means to having children so that the Ummah becomes numerous and to fulfil what the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] stated.
However, if the woman either suffers a lot of pain due to an illness of the womb or she cannot give birth except by way of surgical operation, then this is an excuse to not have children. If the surgical operation [or caesarean] will harm her- it is feared that something will happen to her, and also if the children are many- born at close intervals and bringing them up becomes difficult upon her, then there is nothing to prevent her from taking some pills [or contraception] or some preventative measures for a year or two – the period of breastfeeding- so that she becomes strong enough to nurture the children and able to nurture the other newly born. Audio link with transcript http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/11853
NB: This is a general Fatwa, therefore married should ask the scholars about their specific circumstances, in order to receive specific ruling related to their situation.
Read also
Fertility issues and contraception in Islam: The choice to have children
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, you see an unbeliever with the healthiest body amongst the people and with the sickest heart; and you will come across a believer with the most upright of hearts and the unhealthiest body [i.e. physical illness]. I swear by Allaah, if your hearts were sick and your bodies healthy, you will be more insignificant to Allaah than dung beetles”.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “’Search for your heart in three situations [i.e. how you respond]: When the recitation of the Qur’aan is heard, in the gatherings where Allaah is remembered and in times of seclusion. If you do not find your heart in these situations, then ask Allaah to grant you a heart, for indeed you do not have a heart’’.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Sins take control over the heart”.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, the people make their speech very good and appropriate; the one whose speech is in conformity with his actions is that one who has achieved his portion of [goodness]. And the one whose speech is in opposition to his actions, then he is that one who has rebuked himself’’.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “There is not anything on the face of the earth more needed than a prolonged imprisonment of the tongue [i.e. speak good or remain silent]’’.
[Source: Al-Fawaa-id by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]. page 213-221]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَاللَّهُ يَقُولُ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهْدِي السَّبِيلَ – Allaah Says the Truth, And He Guides to the Right Way (33: 4)]
This noble ayah makes it absolutely clear that Allaah speaks the truth -truthfulness and certainty in His narratives; justice and wisdom in that which He has commanded and prohibited. Everything Allaah has stated is truth, absolute credibility and beneficial for the slaves. It is a source of wellbeing in their creed and manners, and in their religious and worldly affairs. Everything Allaah has commanded is an act of righteousness, a quality of perfection, a benefit and a blessing; and everything Allaah has forbidden is evil, harmful and corruption, whether in the affairs of the worldly life or the religion. The entire Islamic legislation is an explanation of this great principle, which Allaah has mentioned in this Ayah and other than it.
Then Allaah says [وَهُوَ يَهْدِي السَّبِيلَ – And He (Allaah), guides to the right way]; It is the path leading to the truth which Allaah has mentioned, and by way of which Allaah establishes judgements. Allaah suffices (us) and clarifies this truth for (us) through clear perceptible evidences (i.e. sound evidences that agree with the upright innate human fitrah and the uncorrupted intellect) and divine evidences, as Allaah stated in another Ayah:
[سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ – We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that (this Qur’aan) is the truth (41:53)]
